Swanline Cygnus Eco Board is a fibre-based board suitable for print, graphics, packaging (including food contact) and point-of-sale (POS). It is resistant to water and moisture, and so suitable for temporary outdoor signage and short term moisture sensitive signage and packaging. It provides an alternative to plastic for graphics applications, such as polyethylene (PE) coated paper, high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and even aluminium composite panels. Available in a range of thicknesses, it is recyclable, compostable and available with up to 70% recycled content. Image Swanline.

SEFF hemp fibre for fashion and interiors, softened to resemble cotton. Image SEFF.

Oval is a plastic-free collagen skin substrate made by Pact. Created from surplus collagen (from waste fish skins and scales) and enriched with natural oils, it is 100% traceable and free of harsh chemicals. Using a patented process, cosmetic-grade collagen is converted into collagen skins. These are infused with additional oils and finished like conventional leather. Image Pact.

Corn Next CN2017 is a starch bioplastic made from corn starch, water and oil. It is suitable for extrusion and injection moulding, food safe and home compostable. CN2017 can break down in as little as 30 days and can degrade in any environment, leaving behind no harmful chemicals. Image Corn Next.

Archisonic cotton tiles by Impact Acoustic are made with cotton cellulose, a by-product of the cotton industry that would otherwise go to waste, along with other natural materials, without the use of harmful synthetic binders and chemicals. The tiles can be returned to the production process end of life. Image Impact Acoustic.

AMSilk started producing Biosteel Fiber in 2015: a pioneering protein based fibre development that combined high performance properties with sustainability. Today AMSilk produce a range of fibres, from Biosteel to Ultrafine. It is made with biotechnology and is petroleum free. It is completely biodegradable in marine and aerobic conditions, leaving no plastic residue. It is converted into fabric using standard textile manufacturing equipment, turning man-made proteins into fibres for commercial textiles – footwear and garments, bags and wristbands, home textiles and even composites in automobiles. Image AMSilk.

Simplifyber produce moulded shoe uppers from a cellulose-based pulp. It is poured into a mould as a liquid and formed into the final shape with heat and pressure, reducing cutting and sewing. The material is made from a mix of wood pulp and other plants and biodegradable additives. It works somewhat similarly to making paper, but the resulting material is strong and durable. The strength comes from an additive derived from food waste, which creates cross-links in the bioplastic structure. It is recyclable with paper. Image Simplifyber.

Woolchemy produce technical wool-based fabrics that offer an alternative to synthetic textiles in hygiene and wellbeing applications. NeweFlex is a biodegradable acquisition distribution layer (ADL) for disposable hygiene solutions, including diapers (nappies), incontinence and feminine hygiene products. NeweZorb is an ultra-absorbent, breathable textile that can absorb over 10 times more moisture than its original weight while still feeling dry and comfortable. Image Woolchemy.

Smobya NanoTwine transforms nutrients from food industry waste into nanocellulose, which is formed into sheets. Currently under development, it aims to provide an alternative to leather in fashion and interior applications. Image Smobya.

AltMat is an Alternative Materials company making fibres and yarns from agricultural waste. The fibres are made from waste from food crops like hemp oil seed, banana fruit and pineapple fruit. They are converted into high quality. textile, or blended, to make fabrics suitable for fashion and interiors. Image AltMat.

Ecovon use coconut husk and sugarcane to create a naturally flame retardant, anti-fungal, binder-free alternative to wood. The husks are processed into panels and bound together by the lignin naturally present in the material. There are no plastics used in production and the materials are fully compostable. Image Ecovon.

HUID are developing packaging materials from onion skins. Their developments include Pyber card-like material made from biologically processed onion skin fibres and Cellofil flexible film designed as an alternative to plastic packaging films such as low density polyethylene (LDPE). Image HUID.

CanvaLoop fibres for fashion and textiles are produced using agricultural waste from crops such as hemp, banana and pineapple production. The fibres are extracted and processed to make HempLoop (stalks from hemp grown for food and medicine), BanLoop (fibres from the plant stalk), PineLoop (fibres from discarded leaves), NettleLoop (wild Himalayan nettle) and FlaxLoop. Image CanvaLoop.

Arda Biomaterials created New Grain, a new type of leather alternative that is currently in development, made from brewers’ spent grain (BSG). According to Arda Biomaterials, for every 100 ltr of beer, there are 20 kg of spent grain. The protein and fibre in the waste grain is processed into materials suitable for textiles that can be processed using similar techniques to leather. Image Arda Biomaterials.

Oceanium develops functional seaweed ingredients for applications in health and wellbeing, skincare, packaging materials, food and beverages. As an example, they developed Ocean Ink, which is a fully biodegradable water-based ink derived from sustainably sourced seaweed. It has a naturally golden colour, which lends itself to high end and luxury packaging, offering an alternative to foil embossing (hot foiling, foil blocking). Image Oceanium.

Searo Labs has developed a unique formulation of seaweed-based materials that are food contact safe, home compostable, moisture and texture controllable, optically clear, and heat sealable. Potential applications range from film packaging for fresh food to dissolvable shampoo and detergent pods, and feminine care products. Image Searo Labs.

B’ZEOS develops sustainable packaging solutions using seaweed as the main biomass source, in particular sargassum extracts. They are in the process of developing flexible films, paper coatings, thermoformable materials, and injection moulding grades for various types of packaging application. Image B’ZEOS.

Continuous cast aluminium alloys from Raffmetal are produced from around 90% recycled scrap aluminium. The carbon footprint of their material is 2.18 kgCO2e/kg according to their life cycle analysis (LCA). This is significantly lower than the European average for aluminium, which is around 6.7 kgCO2e/kg. Image Raffmetal.

29 Acacia (formerly Fiiba) are developing fibres and textiles from banana production waste. The G9 banana tree only fruits once in its lifetime, after which it is felled and burnt and a new tree is planted in its place. The fibre they produce is aimed at replacing cotton and viscose. Image 29 Acacia.

Good Earth Cotton is a regenerative farming programme that encourages techniques and practices that enhance the ability for soil to sequester more carbon than the entire cotton growth lifecycle emits. Image Good Earth Cotton.

Uncaged Innovations are developing a leather alternative that is bio-based, animal-free and doesn’t require tanning like traditional leather. The process fuses structural proteins from grains with other bio-based elements to create fibril networks, replacing the animal collagen required for traditional leather. The company claims that the end product emits 95% less greenhouse gasses, 93% less water, and 72% less energy than traditional animal leather. Image Uncaged Innovations.

Woola convert waste wool into packaging to provide an alternative to plastic bubblewrap. The wool is sourced from local farmers close to their factory in Estonia. A small amount of polylactic acid (PLA) is used to bind the wool fibre, but this is being phased out by the company. Image Woola.

Nature Coatings BioBlack TX is a water-based dispersion featuring a proprietary black pigment from FSC certified wood waste. It provides a direct replacement for petroleum-derived carbon black, with a significantly lower carbon footprint and no toxic chemicals. Image Nature Coatings.

Linoleum tiles by Dzek in collaboration with designer Christien Meindertsma. It is a bio-based product that promotes a healthy indoor environment made with solidified linseed oil (from flax) and pine resin, filled with additives such as limestone, cork dust and wood flour. Image Dzek.

Fibre walls by Belén for Kvadrat, 2024. In collaboration with Dynaplak and Huis Veendam, Belén developed an acoustic wall covering based on potato starch binder and wool fibre waste from Kvadrat‘s production. Wall spray and stucco application techniques have been used to create textures and smooth finishes, respectively.

Ecor convert agricultural and post-consumer waste (paper and card) into building materials, providing an alternative to engineered wood panels. Raw materials are processed into usable feedstock via a mechanical pulping process to achieve the desired properties for the pulp. The pulp is then dispersed in water and through controlled processing the lignin acts as a natural glue, like hardboard, binding the fibres together. Image Ecor.

Made from recycled limestone (calcium carbonate), Karst paper offers a tree-free alternative to regular paper. It is waterproof, non-toxic and recyclable, and on top of that doesn’t use any water, acids or bleach. Image Karst.

Kombinat Konopny produce hemp for a range of fabrics, including blends with cotton, wool and viscose. They are suitable for automotive, interior, fashion and furniture applications.

Ekovilla insulation bat is made from selected newsprint paper into which flame retardants are added. Insulation is suitable for new construction, renovation and additional insulation. Ekovilla is used for the upper and lower floors and walls. Image Ekovilla.

Reeco by Tung Ga is a recycled fibre and fabric made from scraps and offcuts of linen (flax) and hemp. Image Tung Ga.

Nextevo produce fibres and textiles with pineapple leaf fibres (PALF), derived from agricultural byproducts. Image Nextevo.

Himalayan Wild Fibers produce textiles from the bast fibre of wild-harvested Himalayan giant nettle plants. Image Himalayan Wild Fibers.

Bear Fiber produce hemp fibre and hemp cotton blends for weaving and knitting. Image Bear Fiber.

Searamic by Soarce, a high performance bio-based colour additive and coating, is made up of 50-80% seaweed cellulose biopolymer combined with natural clays. It offers very good resistance to oxidisation, UV and IR, which helps maintain the colour fastness of fabrics. On top of this, it acts as a brightener (without added TiO2) and surface modifier. Image Soarce.

Post-consumer and industrial scraps of wool and cashmere converted by Imbotex Lab into nonwoven insulation and padding for clothing and bedding. Image Imbotex Lab.

Imbotex Lab use hemp, nettle, cotton and linen in their natural fibre padding and insulation, for bedding and clothing. Image Imbotex Lab.

Imbotex Lab nonwoven yak fibre materials. This super light, breathable and insulating fibre provides softness and odour-resistance. Image Imbotex Lab.

Charlotte Werth has developed a process for dyeing textiles with Janthinobacterium lividum, a soil-dwelling bacteria. Fed on yeast extract, salt, protein and glucose, the bacteria grows and populates becoming a cloudy yellow colour. Fabric is slowly moved through the bath and is dyed purple by the bacteria. The fabric is sterilised with UV light.

Keim mineral silicate paints are made with non-toxic natural ingredients and mineral pigments. Applied to masonry, the paint forms a permanent chemical bond between the pigment and substrate, creating a long lasting and colourfast coating that is breathable, noncombustible and water resistant. The surface is inherently resistant to fungi, algae and mould growth resulting in a hygienic and beautiful finish. Image Keim.

Hardboard produced with the wet fibre process, which uses the wood’s natural resins to bond the fibres together. Fundermax hardboard is suitable for general construction, stiffening walls, surface finish for doors, automotive interior trim, packaging and furniture. Image Fundermax.

IndiDye colourants are made from renewable resources primarily based on by-products and waste. No hazardous chemicals are used and they are completely free from petrochemicals. IndiDye natural plant dyes are manufactured in a water-based extraction process or by natural fermentation, and biodegradable without any chemicals that are harmful to planet or people. Image IndiDye.

EarthColors by Archroma is a unique process that extracts colour from non-edible agricultural or herbal byproducts, such as waste leaves and nutshells. Image Archroma.

Uluu polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), biodegradable polyester, is produced using farmed seaweed feedstock. Image Uluu.

Algopack produce compostable packaging using seaweed bioplastic, as well as blends of seaweed with other plastics to help reduce the carbon footprint of products. Image Algopack.

Mylea mushroom leather, made with mycelium, by Mycotech Lab MYCL. Image Mycotech Lab.

AirCarbon polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), biodegradable polyester is produced by Newlight Technologies. They use a novel catalytic process based on microorganisms from the ocean. These microorganisms take oxygen from the air and carbon and hydrogen from methane and CO2, and combine these into molecules that make up PHB polymer. Image Newlight Technologies.

Brewed Protein by Spiber includes fibres, films, and other types of protein-based materials that are manufactured through fermentation (brewing) of plant-based ingredients. Sugars obtained from agricultural products such as sugarcane and corn provide the main feedstock. The finished materials are bio-based, non-toxic and biodegradable in soil and marine environments. Applications include textiles, fashion, garments, faux fur, films and packaging. Image Spiber.

Ecopel Flur is a plant-based and biodegradable faux fur, free from petrochemicals, and utilising natural dyes, according to Ecopel. Image Ecopel.

Other Matter is an experimental design studio setup by Jessie French offering algae-based bioplastic products, objects, screens and decals. Decals made with seaweed provide an alternative to the conventional polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used for shops, signage and exhibitions. Image Other Matter / Jessica Maurer.

Modern Meadow produce a synthetic leather they call Bio-Vera using a mix of recycled and bio-based ingredients. The scaffold structure is created with recycled car tyres. This is infused with Bio-Alloy, which is a mix of plant-based proteins and bio-polyurethane (PUR). A soy-based coating (Bio-Alloy Shield) provides the waterproof and breathable top layer. Image Modern Meadow.

Sqim Ephea is a flexible mycelium material that offers a sustainable alternative to animal leather and synthetic materials. Image Sqim.

Mogu fabricate modular acoustic panels for interior applications with mycelium grown on a matrix of agricultural residue. Image Mogu.

Even though still in the lab, Galy promise their lab-grown Literally Cotton will be less susceptible to weather and environmental influences, in stable quantities and at stable prices. Instead of harvesting plants, the cells are grown in bioreactor in a process similar to beer brewing. Galy claim their cotton grows ten times faster than conventional cotton, in a process that uses 77% less water, 80% less land and emits 84% less CO2 than traditional cotton manufacturing. Image Galy.

BioPuff by Ponda (formerly Saltyco) is a plant-based material that uses bulrush (also known as reed mace). It has a similar structure to feathers and down, providing warm, lightweight and water-resistant natural insulation. It is derived from marshes using paludiculture, an ancient practice of farming on wetlands, such as rewetted peatlands, bogs and fens. About 20 bulrush heads are needed to make enough material for one jacket, and the first rushes are expected to be harvested from the UK site in 2026.

Parvati Valley Hemp Company produce hemp fibre for paper, textiles, garments, hempcrete building materials and lightweight composites. Image Parvati Valley Hemp Company.

Ficus Innovations partnered with Circular Systems to produce a coloured natural textile fibre with the lowest environmental impact possible. Using only plant waste and extracts from pomegranate peel, olive leaf, lavender, and walnut shell, among others, and bio-resins, plant-based oils, and clay to achieve high colour fastness. No metal mordants, aluminium salts, formaldehyde, and azo dyes are used. Image Circular Systems.

Circular Systems Agraloop Biofibre is a textile fibre produced from agricultural products and leftovers, such as hemp, flax, banana and pineapple. Image Circular Systems

Circular Systems Texloop is a global platform that reclaims pre-consumer cotton textile waste and upgrades it into high quality RCOT recycled cotton fibre. The recycling processes used preserve as much of the original fibre as possible, maintaining its quality for the next generation of recycled materials. Image Circular Systems.

Notpla rigid is a seaweed-based material that can be moulded into utensils, such as forks and ice cream spoons. It is biodegradable and compostable. Image Notpla.

Siegwerk‘s Uninature water-oil barrier coating for disposable paper packaging is 100% bio-based and proven to effectively reduce the absorption of water, oil and grease on paper stock intended for direct food contact while maintaining its recyclability. Image Siegwerk.

Magna Glaskeramik panels are made with recycled glass – specifically industrial waste from the production of packaging and solar panels. The sheet materials, which are suitable for furniture and facades, for example, have a maximum dimension of 2800 x 1250 mm (up to 3500 x 1500 mm on request) and a standard thickness of 20 mm (15-40 mm available on request). Image Magna.

Midori-Bio coatings produced from algae and plant seed oil enhance the performance of textiles. With 55-94% bio-based content, they are optimised to provide wicking, anti-odour or water-repellent properties. They work well on synthetics, providing an alternative to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and fluoropolymer coatings in fashion applications. Image Midori-Bio.

The Food Textile project takes waste food products and converts them into dye that is compatible with cotton fabrics. Image Food Textile.

Organic Cotton Colours produce organic cotton textile and garments without dye – the colour comes from cotton varieties that naturally grow in cream, green, and brown shades. Using regenerative farming practices, the company controls the supply chain from the field to the finished textile and garment. This ensures the absence of chemicals and guarantees a biodegradable product that is good for people and the planet. Image Organic Cotton Colours.

Xampla Morro plant based polymers are natural proteins converted into compostable packaging materials, such as coatings and films. The proteins are derived from agricultural waste, from what is leftover once starch has been extracted from peas. They have developed water-soluble films, which can be used for in edible packaging like stock cubes. They also offer dispersion coatings for paper, totally plastic free and home compostable, that can be tailored to offer grease resistance, water resistance, or both. Image Xampla.

TômTex bio-based leather-like material that is made with chitosan – a biopolymer derived from chitin from waste shrimp, crab and lobster shells as well as fish scales – mixed with food waste. Currently under development, it promises to be biodegradable and durable while remaining soft enough to be hand-stitched or machine-sewn. Image TômTex.

Thermory thermowood thermally modified timber (TMT) includes a range of wood types that have been physically and chemically modified with heat. Durability is increased and biological resistance to pests and microorganisms is enhanced, without the use of chemical preservatives and insecticides. Many different species of wood are suitable include pine, spruce, ash, aspen and oak.

Sway seaweed packaging. Cast as transparent films, they offer a renewable and compostable alternative to packaging plastics such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester. Their products include TPSea melt-processable pellets for film extrusion, TPSea Flex which mixes seaweed with bioplastic for bags and wrappers, and prefabricated bags using TPSea Flex. Image Sway.

Reishi fine mycelium fabric by MycoWorks provides an alternative to animal leather and plastic-based textiles made using polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This luxury mycelium leather that looks and feels like fine animal leather but with much lower environmental impact. The price is around 300 usd/sqm and it is manufactured in sheets measuring 900 x 600 mm. Image MycoWorks.

PaperFoam consists of starch, natural fibres, water and a proprietary premix. It provides a lightweight, protective and home compostable packaging solution. It provides a bio-based and biodegradable alternative to expanded polystyrene (EPS), styrofoam. Image PaperFoam.

Notpla are compostable seaweed based paper coatings and packaging films that provide a plastic-free barrier to water and grease. After use, the packaging can be disposed in paper recycling, or home composted. Image Notpla.

Mylo mushroom leather by Bolt Threads is produced with mycelium, grown in a vertical farming facility powered by 100% renewable energy and transformed it into a material that looks and feels like animal leather. Image Bolt Threads.

MuSkin by Life Materials comes from Phellinus ellipsoideus, a gigantic inedible fungus that grows on trees in the subtropical forests. It is made from the outside skin of the mushroom and is suitable for shoes, luggage and accessories. It is very soft and feels like suede. Image Life Materials.

Mirum plant leather by Natural Fiber Welding is plastic-free and made with natural rubber, plant-based oil, natural pigments, and minerals. Image by Natural Fiber Welding (NFW).

Marmoleum linoleum by Forbo is a floor covering made with solidified linseed oil (from flax) and pine resin, reinforced with jute fibre, and filled with additives such as limestone, cork dust and wood flour. Marmoleum is made with renewable energy and materials for a sustainable and non-toxic product.

Malai coconut leather is produced through bacterial fermentation of waste coconut water, a byproduct of coconut production. The bacterial cellulose that develops is enriched with natural fibres (banana, sisal, hemp), gums and resins to create a durable and flexible material which is converted into flat sheet or 3D parts. It is coloured with plant-based mordant-free dyes. Plant extracts like indigo, madder, cutch or marigold petals are used in order to achieve the colour. It is plastic-free, vegan and home compostable. Image Malai.

Lactips is a promising technology development based on 100% bio-sourced casein-based plastic-like material that is biodegradable in water and home compostable. Derived from milk protein, it is not classed as a plastic, and is being developed as a plastic-free packaging film and coating solution for paper or cardboard packaging with a view to strengthening the protection and conservation of food products without impacting their recycling or compostability. Image BASF.

Paper packaging from 100% unbleached and uncoated, calendered kraft paper, suitable for frozen foods. Introduced by FRoSTA in 2020, it costs 0.2 usd more per pack, and there is a risk of tearing on defrosting, but saves 320 tons plastic per year at FRoSTA alone. Image FRoSTA.

IsoHemp hemp blocks (also called hemplime and hempcrete) are particularly suitable for the construction of residential houses, for lining existing walls from the inside or outside, as well as for industrial and flat partitioning. It offers high thermal insulation, breathability and very low carbon footprint. Image IsoHemp.

Hemp fibre corrugated sheets by Margent Farm are made up of hemp bound with a sugar based resin made entirely from agricultural waste (bio-based resin that mainly consists of corn cob, oat hulls, bagasse). As cladding for interior and external application, they provide a natural alternative to corrugated steel, PVC, bitumen and cement. Image Margent Farm.

Gutex wood fibre insulation panels and loose fill provide a sustainable alternative to synthetic materials for thermal and acoustic applications in walls, ceilings and roofs. The panels are breathable, recyclable and compostable. Image Gutex.

Green Cell Foam by KTM Industries is a starch-based bioplastic derived from corn. It provides an compostable alternative to expanded polystyrene (EPS) and expanded polylactic acid (PLA) in packaging applications. Image KTM Industries.

Green Blade banana trunk veneer by FIBandCO. A byproduct of banana production, the trunks are sliced and converted into veneer without the use of adhesive. Image FIBandCO.

Grasspaper (Graspapier) by Creapaper is paper made from wood fibre mixed with 30-50% grass and is suitable for packaging and stationary. Replacing some of the wood pulp with grass saves water, energy and CO2. Image Creapaper.

Gmund cotton paper made with 100% cotton, distributed by G.F Smith. Image Gmund.

Gmund Bio Cycle paper is made with a mix of wood fibre and up to 50% recycled plant fibre, such as wheat straw, grass, cotton and hemp. It is compostable and recyclable end of life. Distributed by G.F Smith. Image Gmund.

Gmund Bier paper is made with a mix of wood fibre and leftovers from beer productions, including hops, malt and yeast. Distributed by G.F Smith. Image Gmund.

Geami WrapPak honeycomb mesh paper wrapping by Ranpak. Image Ranpak.

Flupis by Hellbut is made from recycled paper mixed with starch. It is foamed with steam to produce loose fill packaging. It is compostable and recyclable. Image Hellbut.

Flexi-Hex honeycomb paper mesh for packaging. Image Flexi-Hex.

FibreForm thermo-formable paper packaging material by Billerud. Produced with a modified type of kraft pulp, it is more formable than regular paper, and can be shaped into trays, blister packs and pouches. Image Billerud.

Evoware edible and biodegradable seaweed-based film for packaging. Image Evoware.

Evertree Next medium density fibreboard (MDF) uses plant-based adhesive derived from local agriculture (rapeseed and sunflower seed). It is classed as no-added formaldehyde (NAF). Image Evertree.

EcoCork by Secil is a composite of cork aggregate with lime based render or plaster to create a lightweight, insulating and vapour permeable surface finish for interiors.

Durabella terrazzo by Duracryl is a decorative terrazzo floor finish, made of a coloured bio-based binder (biopolymer from castor oil) and marble, calcium carbonate, glass and other non-toxic materials.

CornWall bio-based tiles by Front (formerly StoneCycling) are produced primarily from corn waste using a process developed by Circular Matters. 99.5% bio-based (the 0.5% pigment is biodegradable synthetic) they provide a low-carbon and non-toxic option for interior cladding.

Compostella wax paper is a greaseproof packaging paper produced with a thin coating of carnauba wax. It is suitable for use with moist foods such as smoked fish, cooked ham and goat’s cheese, as well as sausage, cheese and vegetables. It is unbleached, home compostable and provides a sustainable alternative to paraffin wax-coated or plastic-laminated paper. Image Compostella.

Copper mining and smelting have a significant carbon footprint. The global average, according to the International Copper Association (ICA), is 2.3 kgCOe/kg. Boliden low-carbon copper, produced with renewable energy and recycled contents (up to 100%), has a reduced carbon footprint of 1.5 kgCO2e/kg. The primary raw material for Boliden’s recycled copper is used electronics. Image Boliden.

Bananatex fabric is produced from 100% abaca banana fibre. The natural white colour reflects the actual colour of the fibres and is not dyed. An all-natural wax coating can be applied to make the fabric waterproof without compromising its sustainability. Image Bananatex.

Arekapak palm leaf packaging. Made without plastics, coatings or additives, Areca palm leaves are dried and pressed into trays and boxes. Image Arekapak.

AirMycelium developed by Ecovative makes a range of materials possible with mycelium. By carefully guiding the growth pattern of mushroom mycelia it is possible to produce open-cell foam, fabric, leather and food. Image Ecovative.

Accoya wood is modified radiate pine. Through a process of acetylation, the chemical structure of the wood is altered, resulting in a dimensionally stable and extremely durable timber guaranteed for 50 years above ground and 25 years in ground or freshwater. The process does not add any toxins to the environment. Image Accoya.